Birds can be delightful pets that offer a bit of companionship and a taste of the outdoors inside the home. The variety of birds available as family pets range from the simple to the exotic, but they all are the same in one way: All birds need a clean cage to stay healthy. Learn how to clean a birdcage the right way and protect your feathered friend.

Cage liners. The lining of your birdcage should be changed often, at least every day. Paper liners and even newspaper can make a great cage liner. With cage liners, all you need to do is carefully roll up the newspaper and fold it in the center to avoid spilling the contents back on the floor of the cage. A handy trick to making this job even easier is to layer cage liners on top of one another. This way, the next liner is already in place for the next day.

Food dishes. Your bird is just like every other animal—it needs food and water to live. Keep a fresh supply for your bird at all times, and be certain the dishes are clean. Both dishes should be cleaned every day. Be sure to rinse any soap away completely, as it can discourage your bird from eating or drinking if any soap residue remains. The food dish should be completely dry before replacing in the birdcage. A damp food dish will cause the birds food to become wet and moldy, or even sprout.

Disinfectants. To be sure your birds cage is clean, healthy for your bird and free of bacteria, use a non-toxic birdcage disinfectant when cleaning out the cage. Be sure to check the label of any product you plan on using for this purpose. The disinfectant should be mild and safe for birds. Many animals, and especially birds, are sensitive to chemicals and cleaners. According to Animal Planet, dont forget to disinfect the birds toys, perches and any other surface inside the birdcage. A thorough disinfectant and cleaning should be done weekly or monthly as needed.
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